IRELAND will play France in two wheelchair internationals next month as both step up their preparations for this autumn’s World Cup in Australia.
The matches will take place at the Halle Marcel Cerdan in Perpignan, on Saturday, July 11 (4.30pm local time) and Sunday, July 12 (6pm).
Following their third successive Celtic Cup triumph, Ireland are ranked third in the world, one place behind two-time World Cup winners France.
The nations have only played twice previously, with the French 100-8 winners in the 2015 European Championship at Medway Park and 62-20 victors in Nantes in November 2024.
Irish head coach Phil Roberts said: “With the World Cup just over four months away, we were keen to provide our players with the strongest possible test.
“Travelling to Perpignan to play France will be a great benchmark of our preparations and a fantastic experience for the squad.
“In our journey since the last World Cup, the best thing that has happened to our squad was playing France in Nantes. We lost the game but took a lot away tactically and technically which has been of huge benefit to our development since then.”
His France counterpart Cyril Torres said: “We are very pleased to be playing Ireland as part of our World Cup preparations.
“They have been improving significantly since we last played them a couple of years ago, and I am sure they will provide us with strong opposition for these games.”
In the eight-team World Cup to be held entirely in Wollongong from Friday, October 30, Ireland have been drawn in a group with the USA, Wales and defending champions England.
France, meanwhile, will play Scotland, New Zealand and Australia in their group matches, with the top two finishers in each pool progressing to the semi-finals.